Las Vegas Casino Etiquette & Tips

While Vegas may be the
adult playground, it’s not exactly a jungle gym. Knowing how
to behave in certain situations will go a long way toward
making your trip enjoyable, especially if you plan on
spending a lot of time at the slots or tables.

Tipping 101

The first thing to
understand is that tipping is not for a job well done, it is
to ensure someone does not do a crappy job.

The majority
of the service industry, from the cocktail waitress to the
guy carrying your luggage makes an hourly rate barely above
the federal poverty line, and the IRS taxes them for tips,
whether you tip them or not. So basically if you’re
wondering why the bellhop is grumpy after you gave him a
buck for spending the last half hour of his day carrying
your 35 bags around, it’s because he actually lost money
helping you.

I know what you’re
thinking “why doesn’t the casino just pay them more, they
have all my money after all”.

And this may be so, but think about it
this way, tips are incentive. If every bellhop and valet
made only what the casino paid them, there’s not incentive
to do a better job and you would see customer service
deteriorate.

With that in mind, here is a helpful
breakdown of approximately how you should tip:

Cocktail Waitress – $1 every
drink. Some say every other drink, but she will likely
visit you more often if you tip every time, and you’re
drinking for free. So $1.

Dealers – Each time you win a
hand, minimum $5/ hour you’re sitting at the table.

Slot Attendants for hand payouts
– 0.5-1% of winnings. (Minus Progressive Slots, but
those won’t be paid out by hand in most instances).

Cab Drivers – 15%

Valet – Some say $2 at pickup.
This option isn’t always the best route. $2 is fine, but
try $1 when you drop it off, and another upon pickup.
Often they mark on their end of the ticket if someone
has tipped on the way in, which can put you a spot ahead
during the rush. Remember too that $2 is average. If
someone in a Porsche threw them a hundred, the guy in
the Porsche is getting his car first. Try not to get
upset, it’s just capitalism.

Bellhops - $1/ bag and a $2
minimum. If someone in your party needs a wheelchair
because they are too drunk or otherwise, this generally
will be handled by a bellhop or security. It is a good
idea to tip in this instance as well, $2 for the ride,
and a $20 if you threw up on him.

Airport Porters - $1/ bag.

Waiters and Waitresses – 15%
pre-tax.

Buffets - $1 / person or 10%.

Front Desk – Optional if they
put in a lot of work. Minimum $20 if you’re going for a
free upgrade. Keep in mind, $20 doesn’t automatically
buy you an upgrade, but I’ve never met a front desk
person who would not try at least.

Street Performers – If you
stop to watch their show, $1-2. Are they a crazy person?
Chances are good, but if you enjoyed the performance
please show your appreciation.

Housekeeping - $1-2/ day.
Also, it is not the same maid every day, so try to tip
daily instead of all at once when you leave.

Your valet guy
probably knows the bellhop, who knows
the cocktail waitress, who knows the
dealers. Word will travel if you
consistently stiff casino workers, so if
you’re Pink from Reservoir Dogs (the one
who doesn’t believe in tipping) don’t be
surprised if everything begins taking a
little longer, and the cocktail waitress
“didn’t hear you” when you asked for no
olives in your drink – uh, that said
don’t get paranoid either, there’s a
good chance the cocktail waitress really
just didn’t hear you.

Hint: Your valet guy probably knows the
bellhop, who knows the cocktail waitress, who knows the
dealers. Word will travel if you consistently stiff casino
workers, so if you’re Pink from Reservoir Dogs (the one who
doesn’t believe in tipping) don’t be surprised if everything
begins taking a little longer, and the cocktail waitress
“didn’t hear you” when you asked for no olives in your drink
– uh, that said don’t get paranoid either, there’s a good
chance the cocktail waitress really just didn’t hear you.

How to
tip at the tables:

We went through the amounts, $1/ win or
$5/ hour at the table minimum if you’re not winning (if
you’re there an hour and haven’t won 5 times you should
probably leave anyway). If you are new to gambling, watch
how other players handle tips and follow suit. It is
customary to announce your intentions before throwing them a
tip so they are not confused as to your actions “is he
betting? Does he want change?” Also, wait until the action
is complete. Don’t tip while the ball is rolling in
roulette, mid dice throw in craps, or while the dealer is
shuffling in blackjack. Wait until that hand or roll is
complete, and tip the moment before the next round is set to
begin.

Progressive Slots

Nevada does not have a State lottery,
instead we have Progressive Slots. The biggest payout is
Megabucks, and the biggest win ever was at Excalibur, a
meager 39.7 million – not much compared to many State
lotteries, but you could probably buy a boat or something.
In Las Vegas Megabucks resets at $10 million after someone
wins, and progresses until there is another winner. The
second most popular Progressive Slot is Wheel of Fortune,
with winnings generally in the 6 digits. There are a number
of others including Millionaire Sevens which all have
slightly lower payouts.

Las
Vegas Etiquette

Pictures in the Casino – Don’t
pull out your camera anyplace people are gambling. In fact
most casinos discourage pictures period (high rollers and
celebrities busy cheating on their wives and all) so keep
the camera phone in your pocket unless someone is calling
you.

Saving Seats – Mmmmmmmm, okay, as
long as it isn’t busy. If someone really loves the seat
you’re saving, you technically aren’t allowed to save seats.
No firsties. Some people like to play multiple slot machines
simultaneously. Mathematically this does not help your odds
one iota, but go for it as long as it is not busy. If you
see machines filling up around you, or someone asks to play
on one of your machines, time to give it up.

Leaving the table or Slot Machine for
a Quick Break – I’ve heard people say “leave a chip face
up”, or “leave your jacket or purse”. No, no, no. This is
Sin City. Someone will take your chip or jacket or purse. If
you are at a table, tell the dealer you will be back and
they will save your seat if they can. If you are at a slot
machine – cash out, tilt the seat against the machine, and
when you come back maybe it will still be open. There are no
guarantees though. Never, ever leave personal belongings
anywhere in a casino.

Getting Hammered – We’ve all done
it, you probably plan on doing it in Las Vegas. We want you
to have a good time and party, but we do not like puke on
the carpeting... we know it already looks like puke on the
carpeting, but it’s not.

Criticizing Other Players at the Table
– I’m sure the guy who has been dealing Blackjack for 20
years is highly impressed by the 20 minute Blackjack course
you took, and the Rules of Blackjack book you read on the
flight over, but most people are in Vegas to have fun. If
you do not like how other players at your table are betting,
move to a different table.

Smoking – Anywhere within a Casino
that does not say “No Smoking” you are allowed to light up.
Nevada recently passed a no smoking in bars law, however
nearly every bar has smokers and ashtrays a-plenty, and
there doesn’t seem to be a huge fuss about it. For
non-smokers, if it becomes bothersome, most Casinos will
have a designated non-smoking section.

Don’t Touch Other People’s Chips –
I know they’re pretty and sound cool when you clack them
together, but chances are they will think you’re trying to
steel something. (Yeah, should go without saying, but you’d
be surprised. Don’t touch other people’s chips).

No Phones in the Sports Books –
It’s an antiquated rule in the age of the internet, but a
rule Casinos still hold to. There was a time when for
instance the West Coast wouldn’t know the results of an East
Coast game until the Networks replayed it. So yeah, for some
weird reason you still aren’t allowed to have phones in the
Sports Book.

Other
Tips

Wear a watch or bring your cell phone.
Casinos don’t have clocks.

If you want to play a game, but are not
sure how, just ask the dealer. They want you to play and
learn, and will be very helpful.

Despite the fact your bleeding chips and
the dealer is still smiling, he/she is not out to get you.
Dealers are paid to smile as well as deal, and their tips
depend in large part on you being happy. Don’t take your bad
luck out on the dealer.

In line with the last, even if you “know”
how to gamble, it doesn’t hurt to take the dealer’s advice.
They have been playing this game 40 hours a week for a
number of years, and there is a good chance they know what
they’re doing.

Seem like a lot to remember? Don’t worry,
no one expects every tourist to know every vague Vegas rule
of etiquette. Remember you’re just here to have a good time.
If you are curious about something, just ask a casino
worker. They’re the experts.